Things you need to know when buying a new bicycle trailer in 2019!
Cycling is a fun activity that anyone can enjoy, but it becomes a whole lot more fun when you have others along for the ride. Taking you kids or pet with you on your bike is usually out of the question, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the best bicycle trailer attached.
You can choose from bike trailers for children, pets, or cargo, which means you can take your two-wheeled fun to all new levels! Each of those serves a very specific purpose, so let’s take a look at what they are!
CHOOSE THE TYPE OF A BICYCLE TRAILER
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1. Kids bicycle trailers
There are kid’s seats that can attach to the back of your bike, but they are usually not very comfortable, and they certainly don’t offer any sort of protection from external objects and elements, such as little stones and dust.
With a high quality child bike trailer, you get an enclosed space where little ones aged 1 to 6 can sit. The best bike trailers for kids generally come with fasteners that secure the children in place, as well as a space for their juice or favorite toy.
—> Research bike trailers for kids here…
The trailers attach to the rear axle of your bike, and the fact that they are low to the ground means that there is less chance of your toddler becoming injured in the event of a fall or crash.
These types of bike trailers usually have zippered compartments that protect your children from the elements, allowing you to take to the bike paths regardless of the weather. You can generally find bike trailers for kids in one (single) and two (double) seat models.
They are a great way to get your children involved in the fun of bike riding, without having to wait for them to learn to ride.
2. Dog trailers for bike
A trip to the park just doesn’t seem complete if you can’t take your four-legged friend with you.
If you’d sooner leave the car at home, it usually means that your dog is going to have to stay there, too. You can get him in on the fun, though, if you invest in the best bike trailer for pets.
—> Research best dog bike trailers here…
Dogs love nothing more than to hang out with you when you go on a new cycling adventure. It’s hard for them to feel like part of the family if they are left behind while the rest of you go pedaling off.
Now you can strap your pooch in and take him along. This is an especially great idea for older dogs whose active years are behind them. They can still come along and enjoy the ride without having to exert any energy.
3. Bike cargo trailers
Getting cargo from Point A to Point B while using a bike is no easy task.
You are generally limited to smaller, lightweight items, but you can up the ante if you attach a trailer made to carry cargo to your bike. In fact, you can add about 3 cubic meters of volume to your cargo capacity.
—> Research cargo bicycle trailers here…
There are all kinds of different bike cargo trailers available, with some designed for specific cargo, while others are designed to ride in difficult conditions.
You can go with a rear-mounted single wheel model or a two-wheel model that has a wider cargo bed and the ability to haul more cargo.
It is advised that you don’t think about high speed cycling when you have a trailer attached to your bike. The wider models are generally about the width of your handlebar, and may in fact be a little wider still.
That means taking real care in the way in why you maneuver your bike, especially in tighter spaces. Think of your trailer in the same way as you would if you had one attached to your car.
There is pretty much no limit to what you can carry in your trailer, but you will also find that there are some which have been made to carry specific types of cargo.
These include everything from groceries, all the way up to canoes and other kinds of adventure gear. If you love camping in the great outdoors and you love to take your bike with you, a trailer is a great addition to your gear.
Why do you need a quality bike trailer!
The fact of the matter is that trailers for bikes add a whole new level of functionality to your two-wheel ride.
It’s the perfect way to transport the kids around without having to constantly rely on the car, whilst also being a great addition for a small business owner, such as a handyman who might need to carry his tools around to local jobs.
7 things to think of when buying a brand new bicycle carrier
There isn’t really anything such as a one size fits all bike trailers, which means you will have some decisions to make when you start shopping!
Here are the most important things to consider:
1. Is it age appropriate? – What we are specifically talking about here are bike trailers for kids. It is generally recommended that you don’t even consider this type of a trailer until your child is at least a year old. That is generally the age at which they are comfortably able to support their own head. This is just a general rule of thumb, though, and you should use your best judgment with the abilities of your own child.
2. Safety features – You will likely find that the vast majority of the trailers that we feature on this site all pretty much have the same safety features. Their biggest differences tend to fall in the area of build and design.
The must-have safety features and accessories:
- A 5-point harness that features a pair of shoulder straps, a crotch strap, and a lap belt.
- The frame of the trailer should completely surround your child and act like a roll cage.
- The trailer should have features that make it visible on the road. This can include such things as flags and bright coloring.
- There should be no gaps in the fabric, which will ensure that your child’s hands stay clear of the wheels.
- A hitch safety strap that will keep the trailer attached to the bike in the event of a hitch failure.
- Fabric covers that are designed to protect your child from road debris churned up by the wheels.
- All materials should meet the safety requirements of the (American Society of Testing Materials)
3. Stroller conversion – There will be times when you will want to put the trailer aside and use a stroller instead. You can kill two bird with one stone by getting a trailer that converts to a stroller. Many of the trailers that we feature here will come with conversion kits that allow you to get a pair of vehicles for the price of one.
4. Protection from the elements – We already spoke about protection from possible debris, but you will also want a trailer that offers protection from the elements. Tinted windows will help keep out the worst of the sun’s glare, but try to ensure that those windows have some level of ventilation so that the interior of the trailer does not become uncomfortably hot.
5. Attachment type – There are basically three types of mounts that will be used to attach the trailer to the bike. The most popular is the mount that attaches directly to the rear axle, but you may also find models that clamp to the frame, while others use a set-post mount with a quick release function.
6. Frame type – The vast majority of trailer are constructed of steel, although you may find that the pricier models are made from a lightweight alloy. Whatever you choose, you will want something that is sturdy and which offer the trailer equivalent of a roll cage. No matter how strong the frame is, it will not withstand a collision with a car. That means making sure that you stick to designated bike trails only.
7. Wheels – Steel rims are commonly found on trailers, which means you run the risk of having to deal with rust. Aluminum rims are lighter and will not corrode. Smaller wheels make the trailer easier to control, whole larger wheels (16-20 inches) will make for a smoother ride. Reflectors should appear on the wheels for safety, and the tires should be inflatable so that they behave better on uneven surfaces.
Reviews —> Do Your Due Diligence
There are a ton of different trailer models available, many of which will have similar features. Rather than just making a decision based on price, take the time to read customer reviews to get an idea of how good or bad the trailer really is.
The reviews are all written by people who have used the trailer, so they are well placed to let you know if a specific trailer is as good as advertised.
Take time to look at all the pros and cons so that you get an idea of how each trailer will fit your needs and lifestyle. Only after you have done all that should you make a purchase.
In Conclusion
Hopefully we have given you enough information here to make a truly informed decision about the type of trailer you need. Start out the process by thinking about what you want to use the trailer for.
If you are using the trailer to haul cargo, you are going to want something that has plenty of space and which has a rugged build. Trailers for kids and pets should be awash with safety features so that your precious cargo is safe at all times.
Each of the trailers you view may appear similar in many ways, but check the reviews to get a list of pros and cons that will let you know if you are getting the exact trailer that fits your specific needs.
If you can do that, you will end up with a trailer that will bring you many years of joy.
List Of Best Models Currently On The Market
1. InStep Quick N EZ child bike trailer
As the world’s best selling bike trailer, the InStep Quick N EZ Double trailer is a great option for families looking to step into a recreational bike trailer without much hassle.
This particular trailer comes with a front, detachable wheel (not pictured) that converts the trailer into a stroller, making it a very versatile trailer.
The cheapest I’ve seen it is around $ (check Amazon.com
That said, this is a very inexpensive option for any family looking to get on the road without spending an arm and a leg.
2. InStep Sync single kid trailer
This is the little brother of the Quick N EZ double trailer, and it has many of the same features and configurations. It also has a front wheel that detaches that converts the trailer into a stroller.
Expect to pay at least $75, so this trailer in very difficult to beat in terms of bang for the buck.
This will get you and your child on the road quickly and easily because it attaches to nearly every bicycle frame (check if you’ve got something unusual).
Like most trailers designed for kids, the Sync Single has a clear weather screen and a mesh bug screen.
3. Aosom Wanderer bicycle cargo trailer
If hauling stuff is more important to you than hauling kids, this is an excellent option.
At just 22 lbs, this steel-framed trailer boasts an impressive 110 lb cargo capacity!
Some people use the frame of the Aosom Wanderer cargo trailer for bicycle as a starting point for their own customizations to fit their particular needs. Others are using this exact model to haul their cargo across the country with great success.
At $104 this is a great bargain that is both versatile and durable.
4. Schwinn Trailblazer double bicycle trailer
Many bike trailers have 16-inch wheels, but this Schwinn model has 20-inch wheels which may be important to you if you are concerned with the ground clearance ( because of a rugged or irregular terrain).
At around $200, this kids bicycle trailer is a bit more expensive than some other basic units, but is also a bit sturdier and is able to easily hold 100 lbs worth of precious cargo.
It also converts into a stroller by attaching the front wheel (not pictured). By the way, prices go up in the springtime (notice the strike through).
The best time to buy a bicycle trailer is in the winter if you’re sensitive to the price.
Still not enough? Learn more about the history of bicycle trailers here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_trailer or continue your research by using the following links: list of bike trailer brands, reviews of best bicycle trailers for kids, dogs and cargo
